You post this like you’re proving or showing how strong our squad is, but to most of us it just looks weak. Saying players who “suit Ismael’s style of play” means nothing. Telalovic might have suited JDT’s style of play more than Keifer Moore, but if they aren’t very good it doesn’t matter. And if our style of play is “closing down and pressing” you need to make sure they still have ability and aren’t just headless chickens. No good getting the ball and wasting good opportunities and positions like today.

To be fair, James is a really good - and highly qualified coach. I've worked with him briefly and know some of the work he's done at clubs like Accy Stanley. Good appointment, in my opinion.

Yeah, didn’t think so.

Ennis scored for Blackpool

Think it’s funny one of millers best traits is his long throw… to who? Who in our side is he throwing into the box to?

Norwich won 2-0.

We looked knackered from the start, when did we actually travel over there? Very few bright sparks in that apart from AK running the show for a while when he came on. I’m afraid Gueye looked very much like the raffle prize winner today and Yuki poor too. DeNeve was dreadful, one of his free kicks was as if he took it with a blindfold on. Let’s hope they were trying not to over exert themselves and risk injury…..

Agree with most of the comments made. Whilst many are worried about the lack of firepower up front,I actually thought the defence was even worse. At least chances were being created(even if not taken,especially the Gueye miss). Toth aside(who looked fairly competent and composed given the lack of protection afforded) the Dutch team should have scored more. In fact,our defence deteriorated significantly after Hyam was substituted i thought. Scott Wharton can`t even pass the ball across the back and is at best a League I player. Blame Hedges all you want,he was nothing like the worst performer today. Travis and Tronstad have probably had enough of our "exiting summer transfer activity". Only Kargbo and Toth looked decent. Fortunately its only a friendly ,and no one seriously injured.That1s the main benefit.

If he thinks that he's as misguided as you.

NEC were decidedly better than the performance the toffees put on at Ewood. This Summer's signings look underwhelming on that showing- none of them would be in my strongest XI or even go to subs. Going to have to hope that Miller is class and starts well.

I can’t see how Dolan or Weimann would have fared better against this Dutch side. Can especially see Dolan lost the ball to the opposition a lot if he played.

well i know one things for certain,we might not get relegated but im`e absolutley certain we won`t be anywhere near the top six,i can see val getting ***** off and doing the off by november

Poor performance, but a quality run out before the season opener. Quality side. We look vulnerable when we get played around our high press line. No standouts for me other than AK for a short period where we should have turned the game around.

Like the Everton game I'm not paying to much attention to a meaningless friendly. However, surely it can't be even up for debate that the side and squad at this time is significantly weaker than the one that ended the season?

Norwich lost against NAC Breda. NAC Breda came in 15th and NEC 8th.

Disappointing result & performance, but worth remembering that Everton aside, this was the toughest test of the summer when you factor in travel & the fact that they finished 8th in the Eredivisie. I can't imagine many of our league opponents will be as strong as NEC.

Agree - the lack of ability is startling and the team is clearly worse than the one that finished last season Relegation thread incoming - probably after Saturday's opener and inevitable defeat at West Brom

it`s heavy odds on that travis will be moving,his agent will be on overtime this weekend,i feel sorry for val,he`s been lied to like jdt and eustace,there is no investment or ambition from the **** running the club

So. The brilliant Kargbo played 20 minutes and then faded. Maybe that's why he doesn't start. Rovers look like a relegation side already.

Unlikely. Gibson will go the extra mile if needs be. The other way around and we would be pulling out straight away.

Enjoyed watching NEC, some really good technical players, great touches, great movement. Pressed us well. We have always struggled when pressed, our players need space and when pressed quickly run out of ideas. Kargbo obviously stood out but we can't rely on only one player this season, he'll soon get kicked to death or double marked out of a game. Gueye - less said the better. Had allowed myself to get optimistic with the earlier wins but this performance doesn't bode well for the season ahead. Need some quality signings and soon.

Agree with the comments regards Travis. Head went down when Eustace left, that was obvious. Now he's seen two of his team mates reunited with JE, Dolan gone to Spain and now Brittain off too. He's good mates with Sammie Szmodics too and just get the feeling they are telling him to move on. The club is a cess pit with Pasha and Gestede running things. Hate to be negative, but this season is going to be tough.

I said earlier in thread that we were much better in the second half but inevitably that didn't last. We probably played well in total for 15-20 mins of a 90 min game which is nowhere near good enough and ultimately 3-1 flattered us

Saw enough there to be concerned that a couple of injuries to key players would be incredibly impactful. Kargbo livened things up for 20 minutes then disappeared. The defence looked brittle. The midfield largely overrun. The attack - anonymous for 70 minutes. Without significant signings in August this squad has us looking down the league not up. We can but hope that Sheffield Weds & Hull City book two of the places and Charlton/PNE/Oxford stumble else it could be a tough old watch.

There is a lot of work to do..and a lot of Players to sign.🙄